Transport Group Wants Tricycles in PUV Modernization

A transport group has called for the modernization of tricycles plying the inner roads in the country to give commuters convenience while traveling and protect the environment.

Orlando Marquez, president of the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), said tricycles must not be left behind by the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the government as they make up a major part of the public transport sector.

"'Wag sana natin iwanan ang ating mga interior routes para sa ating mga mananakay para mabigyan naman ng mas convenient na sasakyan (We should not leave behind interior routes in the modernization of public transport to give our passengers a more convenient ride)," Marquez said during a showcase of modern PUVs at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

The transport leader hailed the efficiency and Euro IV compliance of modern tricycles already available in the Philippine market.

"Meron na po siyang electronic catalytic converter na Euro IV compliant na talagang napaka-tipid, napaka-baba yung kanyang pollution (It already has an electronic catalytic converter that is Euro IV compliant that will save money and with very low emission),” Marquez said.

Piaggio, the Italian manufacturer of the famous Vespa scooter, during the event, showcased the Apé City F1--a Euro IV-compliant gasoline-powered tricycle with an expandable seating capacity of four, 197 cc displacement and a price tag of PHP180,000.

A larger, diesel-run model was also featured called the Apé Auto DX with a seating capacity of eight, displacement of 435.6 cc, and a cost of PHP218,000.

Marquez praised the diesel-run model, saying with its 38 kilometers per liter mileage, a tricycle driver can be assured of profits.

"Baka hindi mo na maubos yung isang litro sa maghapon kung isang bayan lang ang tatakbuhan mo. Kaya napakatipid po ito (You probably will not use up a single liter of diesel in a day if you will only drive within a single town. That's why this is very cost-efficient)," Marquez said.

He asked tricycle drivers and operators to consider replacing their traditional tricycles with the modern ones for convenience and the savings it would bring.

"Hindi ko naman sinasabi na ito na yung bilhin nila. Kundi ikumpara nila dun sa kanilang pang-hanap buhay (I'm not saying they should buy this. But merely to compare this to what they’re using in their livelihood)," Marquez said.

As part of the modernization of all PUVs, Marquez said he spoke with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communication Jonathan Malaya and Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño about establishing cooperatives for tricycle drivers and operators.

"Ang gusto nila ay i-built in na magyakapan na 'yung kooperatiba ng tricycle, jeepney, mga taxi, UV express, isang sistema para kapag na-approve 'yung public transport consumer tax, lahat ito mabibigyan ng subsidy (What they want is the built-in inclusion brought by cooperatives of tricycles, jeepneys, taxis, UV express vehicles in one system so when the public transport consumer tax is approved, all of these will be given subsidies)," Marquez said.

Following the banning of e-tricycles in Manila by Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso last month, Marquez said what the mayor said must be heeded and routes plied by tricycles must be identified to avoid disrupting traffic.

"Sa akin lang ho, wala kasing rehistro at wala din identification kung saan sila rumuruta. Lahat na lang ng ruta. Ruta ng bus, ruta ng jeep, kung saang ruta ang gusto nila (In my opinion, they don’t register and there's no identification of where their routes are. So, it includes all routes. Routes of buses, jeeps, where they want to go, that’s their route)," Marquez said.